Who Calls The Shots For The No. 88 In 2015?

Steve Letarte departs from Hendrick Motorsports for an analyst job at NBC Sports beginning in 2015.

Crew chief. Racing's version of the quarterback. The play-caller. Mapper of strategy and, at least in the opinion of some, as influential on the outcome of the race as the one holding the steering wheel. But that is another debate topic for another time.

For now, we all probably agree it is a vital role.

It appears arguably the most high-profile, and maybe high-pressure, crew chief post in NASCAR will stand vacant at year's end with the departure of Hendrick Motorport's Steve Letarte from his partnership with Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the NBC Sports broadcast booth in 2015.

So, who should step in?

If not who, then at least what qualities do you think are needed in the next quarterback for the sport's most popular driver?